DA O’Malley Releases New Gun Study

Alameda County District Attorney Nancy E. O’Malley has released a comprehensive report covering six years of data on gun use, sales, possession and theft in Alameda County, including detailed statistics of firearm related crimes.

“In creating this report, we aim to deepen our understanding of the epidemic of gun violence in Alameda County, in California and across the country,” states DA O’Malley. “We can and must prevent gun violence. A first step is to research and understand how guns are falling into the hands of the wrong people – those whose intent is to inflict harm, injury and death. This research also allows us to understand how too many children and teens fall prey to gun violence, either through self-infliction or at the hands of another. An in-depth and critical analysis of gun purchases, ownership, theft and use is vital to furthering the goal of reducing gun violence as well as accidental firearm related injuries and fatalities.”

The research also points out a gap in data collection, reporting and analysis. The District Attorney’s Office will work with the reporting authorities to find solutions to the data issues. The ultimate goal of the report is to bring greater awareness to the issue of firearm violence, to reinforce safety and safe storage and to identify new strategies to combating gun violence and the proliferation of illegal firearms.